A few days ago I was contemplating a PR in the Lisbon half on Sunday. I had checked the long term weather forcast which said sunny, blue skies and 18ºC. Perfect for an attempt at a PR, or so I thought. Three days ago the weather forecast stated 20ºC, two days ago it was giving 22ºC and yesterday on arrival in Portugal the weather forecast said 24ºC for Sunday.
This morning I ran a small 4km as my last outing before the half. It was 16ºC out. The past few runs I been doing at home have been in temperatures between 4ºC and 8ºC, granted I was well wrapped up. Today was the first run done this year without a jacket and I could still feel the heat difference as I was out. Sunday will be 8ºC warmer. I've since revised my goal of a PR and will just go out and run it and see what happens. I hope there will be a lot of water stations on the route.
I'm going into the city today to collect my race pack and my wife's family are cooking pasta for dinner tonight and tomorrow night. I'll be making sure I get enough water in today and tomorrow and during the race. I've even brought porridge from Ireland for breakfast the mornign of the race. I'm also not having any wine until after the race. I think yesterday was the first St. Patrick's Day in a long time that was a dry one for me, but I'll celebrate Sunday night instead.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Last Stretch
Long day in work today and I wasn't sure if I would get out for a run. I was hoping to get in three short runs before Sunday's race. I got home starving and had some food and then lounged around for about two hours until finally I left the house.
I don't like running so close after eating and I needed food, but also needed the run. I did a bit of gardening on Sunday and my legs have been sore since so I needed to get out and stretch. I guess gardening uses different muscles than running.
A nice 5km stretch in the cold and I was back home to begin the packing for Lisbon.
I don't like running so close after eating and I needed food, but also needed the run. I did a bit of gardening on Sunday and my legs have been sore since so I needed to get out and stretch. I guess gardening uses different muscles than running.
A nice 5km stretch in the cold and I was back home to begin the packing for Lisbon.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
A Week To Go
On Saturday, with just a week to go to the half, I went out for my last weekend run. The plan was to run 12km at a comfortable pace and not to goo to fast. Again I drove to work as the road options are great from there, lots of twists and turns so you can make any road run longer or shorter quite easily.
I ran out the gate up a slight hill, down another and at the 1km mark stopped to stretch out. After stretching it was back on the road and I continued the 5km loop. The legs were very sluggish and I felt very slow. I began thinking maybe 10km will be enough, I can stop if I get to ten.
As I came back to work and the end of my 5km loop I turned around and ran the loop backwards. I had read that when runners get used to running a certain direction they find it harder to run the opposite direction at the same pace. It was nice to change it up. As I got to 9km I decided that I would continue to 11km, maybe. At 9.75km my legs seemed to wake up and I felt better. I completed the 12km and felt very comfortable at the end. Breathing was good, legs felt good and I still have life left in the body. I stretched out and drove home.
At home checking the run on my PC I noticed that I ran my fastest ever 10km. From the start of the 2nd km to the end of the 11th km took 53:36, a good pace. Now If I can bring that into the race next week.
I ran out the gate up a slight hill, down another and at the 1km mark stopped to stretch out. After stretching it was back on the road and I continued the 5km loop. The legs were very sluggish and I felt very slow. I began thinking maybe 10km will be enough, I can stop if I get to ten.
As I came back to work and the end of my 5km loop I turned around and ran the loop backwards. I had read that when runners get used to running a certain direction they find it harder to run the opposite direction at the same pace. It was nice to change it up. As I got to 9km I decided that I would continue to 11km, maybe. At 9.75km my legs seemed to wake up and I felt better. I completed the 12km and felt very comfortable at the end. Breathing was good, legs felt good and I still have life left in the body. I stretched out and drove home.
At home checking the run on my PC I noticed that I ran my fastest ever 10km. From the start of the 2nd km to the end of the 11th km took 53:36, a good pace. Now If I can bring that into the race next week.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Nice Run
Race day is getting closer. Another 6km run was planned for today, hoping to hit 5:30 kilometre pace in my taper. I brought my gear with me today and got togged out to run after work. It was nice to run in daylight. The last few runs, leaving out the long runs, have been at night.
The run was comfortable and I managed a 5:29 pace. It was nice to feel comfotable, be able for the pace and to smile most of the way. Saturday will be a 12km and I hope to do it in 5:40 which should be my race pace and then we are a week away from the run.
The run was comfortable and I managed a 5:29 pace. It was nice to feel comfotable, be able for the pace and to smile most of the way. Saturday will be a 12km and I hope to do it in 5:40 which should be my race pace and then we are a week away from the run.
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